When "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" hits theaters this December, it will be directed by J.J. Abrams; however, that almost wasn't the case.

While promoting his upcoming animated movie "Strange Magic," franchise creator George Lucas told USA Today he originally planned to direct and write the film.

The seventh installment would have kept "Star Wars" tradition with a May 2015 release. All previous films in the saga have also been released in May.

According to USA Today, Lucas's plan was to sell his company, Lucasfilm, after the release of the film.

Instead, in 2012 Lucas sold Lucasfilm, along with his script treatments for the next three "Star Wars" films, to Disney for $4 billion.

One reason Lucas decided against directing the film was that the next trilogy of "Star Wars" films would be "a 10-year commitment at least," and he wants to make sure he has time to spend with his 17-month-old daughter Everest.